Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of diabetes mellitus and service connection for hypertension were denied by the RO. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher initial disability rating for diabetes mellitus, but noted that his hypertension claim was pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently assigned a 20 percent evaluation, and the Board finds that this rating accurately depicts the severity of his condition for the entirety of the rating period on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter and have not been shown to be causally related to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for both the diabetes mellitus and asthma claims, including obtaining service records to determine if there was exposure during service, as well as pre- and post-service occupational or other asbestos exposure. A VA examination will be scheduled to assess the nature and etiology of any current pulmonary disorders.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure were denied as there is no evidence of an in-service stressor or disease, respectively. The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat operations and his service records do not support a claim of brown water Navy service. Diabetes was also not shown within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, service connection for various conditions, and reopening of previously denied claims were all denied by the Board. The Veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to support his reopened claims.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and kidney failure as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus was denied as he did not serve in the Republic of Vietnam and there is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's confirmed in-service stressor supports a diagnosis of PTSD. The claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not manifest within one year of discharge from service or were related to any aspect of service.,Service treatment records showed no evidence of chronic diabetes or low back disorders during active duty. The Veteran reported gestational diabetes in 1980 which resolved postpartum.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral vascular disease of both lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, Type II diabetes mellitus with cataracts, coronary artery disease, and erectile dysfunction, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder due to new and material evidence. The claim for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service, nor any link between it and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was granted with a 20% rating effective May 13, 2005. The Board found that the earlier effective date prior to May 13, 2005, is not warranted as there was no indication of an informal or formal claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied due to lack of exposure to herbicides. The claims for secondary service connection for various conditions were also denied as they are not related to the primary condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there is no evidence of exposure to herbicides in Vietnam and the disease did not manifest within a year after separation from active duty. The right shoulder bursitis issue remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, preventing him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment. His combined disability rating is at least 70 percent since November 15, 2002.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to July 12, 2007.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that these conditions are related to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer as due to exposure in the Republic of Vietnam are denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of the Veteran serving in-country in Vietnam, thus precluding a presumption of herbicide exposure.